Special to the Laredo Sun Master performer and pianist Christopher Guzman will perform a varied program at the upcoming Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Master Performers @ TAMIUWednesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Fernando A Salinas Charitable Trust, TAMIU Residential Life and the National Endowment for the Arts. Guzman will perform a varied program which includes the lush and expansive Sonata in G Major by Franz Schubert as well as a short piece by American composer William Bolcom and Scriabin’s White Mass Sonata. Guzman regularly performs for audiences throughout North America, Europe and Asia, as soloist and chamber musician. He is a multiple prizewinner in many international competitions, including the Walter M. Naumburg Competition, the Seoul International Music Competition and the Isang Yun Competition of South Korea. He recently garnered the grand prize and several special prizes at the 10th Concours International de Piano d’Orléans of Orléans, France. As a result, he regularly travels to France to perform in Paris and throughout the Loire Valley. Guzman released a CD of German and Austrian music from the past 100 years, “Vienne et après,” in 2014. He has performed in several venues including Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Leipzig’s Gewandhaus, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, and London’s Wigmore Hall and he has performed with members of the world’s finest orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. A Texas native, Guzman studied for many years with Kenneth Thompson, of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. He later worked with Jerome Lowenthal and Robert McDonald at the Juilliard School, Anton Nel at the University of Texas at Austin, and the late Patricia Zander at the New England Conservatory. He is currently assistant professor of piano at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. For more information contact Brendan Townsend, assistant professor of music at 326.3039 or btownsend@tamiu.edu. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Additional information is available at www.tamiu.edu and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube....

Special to the Laredo Sun In memory of her outstanding influence on the students and community of Laredo, Martha F. Fenstermaker will be honored in a reception to officially name the Visual Arts Gallery in her honor and to unveil an art exhibit offering a retrospective of her art work on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The former art instructor and head of the Visual Arts Department, who taught various forms of visual arts for more than 30 years, incorporated her passion into humanitarian work by becoming involved in the city’s and state’s historical and nature preservation endeavors. Along with her two sisters, Fenstermaker devoted time and effort into showcasing the beauty of native Texas while combating those whose projects posed environmental threats. She also joined forces with state and national entities, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Native Plant Society, to preserve and promote the growth of wildlife species vitally tied to Texas’ history. This includes the Texas Longhorn and juniper trees that sustain much of the bird species that make Laredo exclusive for avian aficionados. Fenstermaker is survived by her sisters, Bebe and Sissy Fenstermaker, who collaborated with her in illustrating the masterpiece that is Texas, its sceneries, and its natural gifts. Their work, Enduring Women: A Photography and Oral History Exhibit, is treasured at the Bob Bullock State History Museum in Austin in thanks to the Texas Legacy Project. The Visual Arts Gallery inside the Visual and Performing Arts Center at the Fort McIntosh Campus serves as an appropriate memorial for the cherished college instructor. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to celebrate the life and achievements of Fenstermaker at this event. For more information, please contact the Visual Arts Department at 721.5224. CUTLINE: The lifetime achievements and contributions of retired Laredo Community College art instructor Martha F. Fenstermaker will be celebrated during a special reception to name the college’s Visual Arts Gallery in her name and to unveil a special retrospective art exhibit. The community is invited to join the LCC family at this event on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Visual and Performing Arts...

Special to the Laredo Sun Start your weekend with a short concert by the Laredo Phil Friday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. General admission is only $10 and free for students with a valid ID. “Friday Nite Lites” was conceived by Brendan Townsend, TAMIU assistant professor and music director, Laredo Phil, in an effort to present a concert program that would not exceed an hour. The program consists of five short pieces and opens with the title march from the 1954 movie, “The Dam Busters,” followed by three unique works for soloist and orchestra. Violinist Emily Osinski will perform the flashy and highly entertaining “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” by Saint-Saens. Next is her husband William, brass instructor, Laredo Community College, with Persichetti’s “The Hollow Men.” Finally, 16-year-old cellist from Dallas, Alex Davis-Pegis, will play the 1st movement of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. The concert closes with a work written by Townsend’s father, Dr. Declan Townsend, “Aisling – A Fantasy for Orchestra.” For more information, contact Townsend at...

Special to The Laredo Sun LAREDO, TEXAS —Senator Judith Zaffirini honored representatives from the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) and the City of Laredo in the Texas Senate. Delegations representing WBCA and the city were honored as she unanimously passed Senate Resolutions 7 and 65, respectively. Earlier she hosted a reception honoring them at the Lieutenant Governor’s Reception Room. “I am delighted to welcome the delegations from Laredo and the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association to our beautiful Texas Capitol,” Senator Zaffirini said. “What’s more, I join them in inviting state legislators and all Texans to visit our dynamic, international city and enjoy our cherished annual patriotic celebration.” For 118 years WBCA has delighted Laredoans and visitors alike with a grand display of patriotism that includes parades, fireworks extravaganzas, galas and an international fair and exposition. With approximately 400,000 attendees annually, it is the largest celebration in the nation honoring our first president. This year’s festivities began Jan. 22 and end Feb. 23. The Texas Senate paid tribute to the month-long event by passing Senate Resolution (SR) 7 by Zaffirini, honoring WBCA and welcoming its representatives to the Texas Capitol. The WBCA delegation included Veronica Castillon, president of WBCA; Melissa Cigarroa, portraying Martha Washington; Gabriel Castillo, George Washington; and Andrea Gabriela Gloria, Princess Pocahontas. Also included were the celebration’s Abrazo Children, who will exchange hugs at the middle of the international bridge at the inspiring international friendship ceremony on Feb. 21. The United States’ representatives are Valeria Montemayor and John Roman Galo, and Mexico’s representatives are Alexandra Carriedo Villarreal and Franco Garza Carmona. Representatives Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, and Tracy King, D-Batesville, hosted the delegations in the House of Representatives. “WBCA is not only a proud display of our patriotism and civic pride, but also a wonderful opportunity to honor our relationship with our sister city, Nuevo Laredo, and our sister country, Mexico,” Senator Zaffirini said. “International friendship and collaboration are the hallmarks of Laredo’s success.” The Senate also passed SR 65 by Zaffirini, recognizing Laredo Legislative Day and honoring the city and its leaders. Attending the ceremony were Mayor Pete Saenz and City Council Members Rudy Gonzalez Jr., Esteban Rangel, Alejandro Perez Jr., Roque Vela Jr. and Roberto Balli, who also met with state legislators and agency officials to discuss the city’s legislative priorities. “Count on me to continue to champion the needs and interests of the City of Laredo,” Senator Zaffirini...

Special to The Laredo Sun LAREDO, TX – The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association has selected outstanding community individuals to lead two of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration’s most traditional and time-honored events – the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars and the Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade. WBCA announced Leonard Martin, President and Manager of 20th Century Rides, as the 2015 Parade Marshal for the Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade. Dr. A. Marcus Nelson also received the same honor for the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars. “Leonard Martin has brought joy and carnival fun for 50 years to our Celebration. I am so pleased that a long-time friend of the WBCA will lead this year’s Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Parade as the Marshal,” said Veronica Castillon, WBCA President. “We are also honored to have Dr. Nelson serve as Marshal for the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars. His determination to help students succeed earns him stellar marks. He has distinguished himself in the field of education and community service.” The IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars, takes place Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.; The Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade, will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m., both follow a route South on San Bernardo to the heart of Laredo’s historic downtown district. “I’m honored, humbled & very proud to have been chosen Parade Marshall and also to have been a part of Washington’s Birthday Celebration for the past 50 years,” said Martin. Martin was born in August of 1934 in Ottawa, Kansas. He married Italian born Irma Ulisse in 1969 and will be celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary this coming August. He grew up in the amusement business; however, he initially had other ideas for his future. He accepted an athletic scholarship from the University of Kansas (KU) where he continued following his basketball interest while also participating in the Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC). In 1956 after graduating with a degree in Business Finance from KU, Martin joined the U.S. Air Force, which took him to Florida for flight school. He later was transferred to a post in Washington, D.C., where he also played on the Air Force basketball team. During his Air Force career and while pursuing a Law Degree at the George Washington University in D.C., Martin decided that the amusement business was an industry that he loved and missed; motivating him to return to the home he grew up in. Martin’s carnival heritage spans three generations, going back to his paternal grandfather. This year marks the 50th anniversary Martin has provided the midway for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo. The long association with this great Celebration...

Special to The Laredo Sun LAREDO, TEXAS – The Webb County Heritage Foundation and Ms. Toni L. Ruiz will present an exhibit of rare historic documents to be displayed at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza Street, from January 21 – February 24, 2015. “America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States,” depicts America’s political evolution from 1774 to 1791 and reveals four distinctly different United American Republics. To commemorate the exhibit opening, the public is invited to a Gallery Talk and Reception at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 21st followed by a book signing. The key storytellers of the exhibit will be more than one hundred rare and original 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century documents, manuscripts, and letters from the United Colonies of America (1774-1776), the Thirteen Independent States United in Congress (1776-1781), the United States of America under the Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787), and We the People of the United States (1789-Present) under the 1787 U.S. Constitution and its 1789 Bill of Rights. The priceless documents are on loan to the museum from the collection of nationally renowned author and historian, Stanley Klos who, along with Dr. Naomi Yavneh Klos of Loyola University New Orleans, led the team that assembled the exhibit. “There was no precedent when the representatives of the American colonies first convened at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia in 1774,” said Klos. “Despite their distrust of centralized authority, these revolutionaries created three distinct republics that each had significant weaknesses, but were the best that could be achieved in their moment. It took a fourth attempt, with the U.S. Constitution of 1787 supplemented by the 1789 Bill of Rights, to finally create a workable system. Our goal is to create an exhibit that familiarizes our visitors with the 15-year nation building process that ultimately created the United States of America and its evolution via the U.S. Constitution amendment process,” he said. Among the most notable exhibition highlights are: the first magazine printing of the US Constitution of 1787; an 18th Century printing of the 12 Amendments proposed by the 1789 Congress, of which ten were passed as the Bill of Rights; unique Revolutionary War and U.S. Founding letters, documents, and broadsides by George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Elias Boudinot, John Jay and other leaders; 19th- and 20th-Century printings, letters and documents related to U.S. Constitutional Amendments 11-27; and many other original documents from the Continental Congress, United States in Congress Assembled, U.S. Presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independence, signers of the Articles of Confederation and current U.S. Constitution. In 1983, upon the discovery of 18th Century Philadelphia shipping...

Special to The Laredo Sun LAREDO, TEXAS – The Webb County Heritage Foundation and Ms. Toni L. Ruiz will present an exhibit of rare historic documents to be displayed at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza Street, from January 21 – February 24, 2015.“America’s Four Republics: The More or Less United States,” depicts America’s political evolution from 1774 to 1791 and reveals four distinctly different United American Republics. To commemorate the exhibit opening, the public is invited to a Gallery Talk and Reception at the Villa Antigua® Border Heritage Museum at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 21st followed by a book signing. The key storytellers of the exhibit will be more than one hundred rare and original 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century documents, manuscripts, and letters from the United Colonies of America (1774-1776), the Thirteen Independent States United in Congress (1776-1781), the United States of America under the Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787), and We the People of the United States (1789-Present) under the 1787 U.S. Constitution and its 1789 Bill of Rights. The priceless documents are on loan to the museum from the collection of nationally renowned author and historian, Stanley Klos who, along with Dr. Naomi Yavneh Klos of Loyola University New Orleans, led the team that assembled the exhibit. “There was no precedent when the representatives of the American colonies first convened at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia in 1774,” said Klos. “Despite their distrust of centralized authority, these revolutionaries created three distinct republics that each had significant weaknesses, but were the best that could be achieved in their moment. It took a fourth attempt, with the U.S. Constitution of 1787 supplemented by the 1789 Bill of Rights, to finally create a workable system. Our goal is to create an exhibit that familiarizes our visitors with the 15-year nation building process that ultimately created the United States of America and its evolution via the U.S. Constitution amendment process,” he said. Among the most notable exhibition highlights are: the first magazine printing of the US Constitution of 1787; an 18th Century printing of the 12 Amendments proposed by the 1789 Congress, of which ten were passed as the Bill of Rights; unique Revolutionary War and U.S. Founding letters, documents, and broadsides by George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Elias Boudinot, John Jay and other leaders; 19th- and 20th-Century printings, letters and documents related to U.S. Constitutional Amendments 11-27; and many other original documents from the Continental Congress, United States in Congress Assembled, U.S. Presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independence, signers of the Articles of Confederation and current U.S. Constitution. In 1983, upon the discovery of 18th Century Philadelphia shipping records...